Bob's Mexico Trip Reports

Sanborn's Insurance is the one I used in the past, No they do not cover anything except Liability. My bike is paid for and is an 1977. You just have to be careful. The insurance is mainly to keep you out of jail in case of an accident. I have found that Palms Insurance in El Paso now provides full coverage for motorcycles at a reasonable rate. I like Sanborns because they will include air evacuation if needed back to the states and legal help with bail bonds etc. Also if you join the Sanborns Mexico club, you can get discounts up to 50 percent off at participating Hotels.
A new lower-priced source for Bike Insurance is:MexPro.com - Mexican Insurance - Buy and print Mexican auto insurance policies immediately on your own printer. Can also insure boats, motorcycles, trailers, RVs and properties (home, condo, apartment etc).
Health and accident insurance can be found at: International Pro.
Trust me this IS VERY IMPRORTANT since I had an accident in Sept. 2000, I speak from experience!!

What documents do I need?

If you still owe on the motorcycle, you will need a certified letter from the bank/lien holder allowing you to take it to Mexico. You will need in addition the following:

Visa Requirements: Visa's can be from 3 days to 180 days
a. Passport or Birth Certificate (issued from the County clerks office - not from the hospital!)
b. A picture ID (passport, drivers license, etc.)
c. A valid drivers license.
NOTE: As of July 1st 1999, There is now an aprox. $20.00 charge for tourist Visas, which goes into a fund to provide for the tourist industry (This price varies from year to year).

Vehicle Permit Requirements: permits cover 6 months only (180 days).
a. Original Title to the motorcycle or orginal registration (and letter from bank or lien holder if not free and clear)
b. Visa (from above requirements)
c. Major Credit card for bond (Visa, Mastercard or AMEX) This cost will be about $30.00. (This price varies from year to year.)
(d) Insurance- they do not require proof of insurance to get the permit, but it is best to get it in case of an accident. Aprox. $10.00 per day.
Need to purchase in US before entering Mexico.

Check Points etc.

Expect to encounter a Federal check-point in every Mexican state that you enter. Also random drug check-points. Be sure you do not carry any firearms, knives or drugs or we will never see you again.!
Be friendly, smile and do not offer any resistance if they want to check the bike out, saddle bags etc.
They will almost always want to see the vehicle permit and check the number on the bike to see if it matches. If you speak Spanish, just answer their questions directly and truthfully, do not try to BS them.
They rely heavily on tourist travel for their income in Mexico, so they are more lienent with travelers.
If you smoke, offer them a couple of cigarettes if you see any of them smoking. Recently, some of the Federal Police Check-Points have been taken over by the Military. They look more threating than they are, they are actually easier to deal with than the Federals. Most are just teenagers with one older officer type that is supervising them. Most are just curious and want to look at the bike because they don't see that many of them on the roads in Mexico. These stops will usually only hold you up about 5 min. I don't speak Spanish and do OK. They usually just ask where you are traveling to and if you are carring any knives, guns or drugs. I try to make it a friendly way to make new friends in a strange country and it works. I have traveled through some of the check-points so often that the now just wave me on even while they are searching other people in cars, motorhomes and busses. If the weather is hot and I am wearing my leathers, I just wave the flap on my jacket while waiting in line to indicate it is hot here and they wave me though. You will also encounter military troops at all Toll Booths, they are there to protect the toll booth and you from robberies. They will also be present at the Pemex stations for the same reasons. I was at first intimidated by all these troops at these locations but after talking to them, found out why they were there and that they were for my protection from bandits also, I feel more comfortable with them around.

Drive Mexico
Useful Information - Sonora
Additional Information - State Dept.
Good Luck and enjoy the experience.